More than 30 cadets and adult members gathered this summer at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland for Civil Air Patrol’s 2025 National Cyberspace Academy — one of the organization’s premier technical training events, designed to equip participants with real-world cybersecurity skills and leadership experience.
The training also enhanced participants’ potential performance in CyberPatriot, the Air and Space Forces Association’s national youth cyber defense competition, by developing strong foundational skills.
This year, the academy offered three course tracks — Foundations, Networking, and Operations Fundamentals — taught by CAP adult members experienced in the civilian cybersecurity sector and the Air National Guard.
The Cyberspace Foundations Course introduced cadets to key cybersecurity principles and prepared them for more advanced instruction. Topics included cyber ethics, Windows operating systems security, PowerShell and command-line use, Linux systems, networking concepts, and career exploration.
The Cyberspace Networking Course offered intensive training based on CompTIA Network+ and Cisco Certified Network Associate curricula. Over five days, cadets covered material typically taught over several weeks to adult learners, gaining hands-on experience with Cisco networking equipment. The course culminated in a capstone exercise simulating real-world networking scenarios, testing students in areas such as switching, routing, design, and security.
The Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals Course, led by Air National Guard instructors, simulated mission qualification training on the CY-39 Interceptor Platform, exposing cadets to defensive cyber operations similar to those performed by Air Force cyber protection teams. Cadets learn to use advanced analysis tools to hunt, assess, and defend against simulated cyberattacks, culminating in a final exercise involving the Deployable Interceptor Platform.
Among the top performers was Cadet Capt. Vivek Patel of the New Jersey Wing’s Air Victory Composite Squadron, named Distinguished Graduate of the Cyberspace Foundations Course.
Patel was selected for the honor based on his academic performance, leadership, and practical application of course material, distinguishing himself among his peers.
Meanwhile, Cadet Lt. Col. Carl Furtado of the New Jersey Wing’s Raritan Valley Composite Squadron was selected as the Distinguished Graduate of his seven-cadet cohort, the highest recognition awarded for overall course performance, after completing the Cyberspace Operations Fundamentals Course — the academy’s most advanced track.
Furtado also earned the Academic Excellence distinction after scoring 92% on the capstone written exam. He was one of only two cadets in his group to score above 90%.
“This course challenged me to think critically and apply everything I’ve learned over the past few years,” Furtado said. “It’s an experience that pushes you — but also prepares you.”
Cadet Capt. Christopher Gugleta of the Texas Wing’s Pegasus Composite Squadron was recognized for academic excellence, marking his second straight year of special recognition at the academy. He was selected as a Distinguished Graduate in 2024, making him one of only a few cadets to be recognized at this level in two different course tracks.
Gugleta, who joined Civil Air Patrol in 2021, began exploring cybersecurity through the Department of Defense STARBASE initiative, located adjacent to his squadron’s headquarters at Camp Mabry in Austin. That early exposure sparked a passion for computers and led to his involvement in competitive cyber activities.
Gugleta, who joined Civil Air Patrol in 2021, began exploring cybersecurity through the Department of Defense STARBASE initiative, located adjacent to his squadron’s headquarters at Camp Mabry in Austin. That early exposure sparked a passion for computers and led to his involvement in competitive cyber activities.
Lt. Col. Michael Sidman, a longtime CAP cyber instructor for the Cyberspace Foundations Course, praised Gugleta’s performance.
“Cadet Gugleta demonstrated not only technical excellence but also humility, leadership, and a genuine desire to grow,” Sidman said. “He’s an exceptional cadet with an exceptional future.”
Gugleta hopes to return to CNCA one day as an instructor.
“This community has given me so much,” he said. “If there’s ever a chance to come back and teach, I’d be honored to give back.”
Outside the classroom, the academy participants received a half-day tour of the 149th Communications Squadron and the 182nd Fighter Squadron, both part of the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard at San Antonio–Lackland. Capt. Ryan Martinez of the 273rd Information Operations Squadron served as tour liaison, guiding cadets through operational areas and offering insights into the unit’s role in national defense and emergency response.
Cadets explored a functioning communications center, learning how the 149th Communications Squadron supports Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 6, maintains Air Force Network (AFNet) infrastructure, and troubleshoots fiber-optic systems at bombing training ranges.
The tour also included a visit to the 149th Fighter Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment shop, where cadets learned how pilots prepare for missions. They had the opportunity to try on torso harnesses, an HGU-55 helmet shell, and a CSU-13B/P anti-gravity suit.
Outside, cadets participated in a guided walkaround of an F-16 Viper – for many, their first time standing beside a combat aircraft._____2nd Lt. Samuel CaspersAlamo Composite SquadronTexas Wing
The 2025 National Cyberspace Academy instructors included Lt. Col. Michael Sidman, a former CAP cadet and experienced cybersecurity engineer who instructed the Cyberspace Networking Course.
Since 2017, Sidman has served as a cyber academy instructor at events across the East Coast and Texas, and he spent more than a decade on the Ohio Wing Cadet Programs and Cyber Activities staff. He continues to lead by example at the national academy, blending deep technical expertise with a passion for mentorship.
“Being a cadet gave me a reason to keep pushing,” he said. “This academy is about more than technology — it’s about resilience, leadership, and purpose.”
“I want cadets to leave here not just with technical knowledge, but with the confidence to solve problems under pressure,” Sidman said. “We simulate what professionals do in a real network environment as part of the training.”
Now a cyber sales engineer at Fortinet, one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, Sidman brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the classroom. He spent more than 25 years at AT&T, where he supported Fortune 500 clients with complex global enterprise network, security, and cloud solutions.
Sidman’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Following the 9/11 attacks, he served as the lead engineer delivering secure digital check-processing systems to support the Check 21 Act — a federal law that enabled banks to process electronic images of checks, eliminating the need for physical transportation and revolutionizing modern banking. As lead engineer, Sidman supported telecom and cybersecurity services aligned to a multitrillion-dollar network in support of the Check 21 Act._____2nd Lt. Samuel CaspersAlamo Composite SquadronTexas Wing
